U13 Vs Dungourney

The U13’s travelled to Dungourney on Tuesday the 19th to finally play their semi-final of the Imokilly Cup. We travelled with 23 on the night which made the task of selecting the starting 12 all the harder. With the hard decisions made the first 12 were sent out with the intention to make a good start and to focus on our own game. The girls took the message to heart and from the first attack found the back of the net with a well taken goal from Elena Kelleher, this instilled a belief in the girls and they quickly added another goal through Joanna Keniry. Dungourney ensured it wasn’t going to be all one way traffic with a well taken goal of their own but our girls responded in the best way possible by going up the other end and getting another goal through Saoirse Burns, while Aimee Kearney got her name on the score sheet when she raised a white flag. But Dungourney came back again with two goals of their own as our defence struggled with the dropping ball in the glaring sun. We responded with another point from Elena but Dungourney were to have the last say of the half with another goal to go in a point ahead at half time 4-0 to 3-2. Taking on water was the main aim of half time after the pace of the first 30 minutes. There was a sense of disbelief at being behind at half time especially with the chances we had but this made our girls all the more determined heading out for the second half. Dungourney started this half a lot better but failed to take advantage of a dubious 45 awarded by the referee, this let off seemed to spur our girls on and a lovely point from Joanna saw us draw level, before a goal mouth scramble saw the ball finish in the net to see us retake the lead. Aimee then rattled the net before another point from Elena saw us extend our lead, Dungourney came back at us again with another two goals but our girls upped it another gear and another goal mouth scramble was followed by a goal from Joanna, and another point from Elena. We got a breather when Joanna picked up a knock to her shoulder which allowed the girls to take on some much needed water. Thankfully Joanna was able to continue and score a fine goal to extend our lead further. Elena then struck two equally brilliant points from out the field. Dungourney kept trying and only for a fine save from Laura Smiddy would have had another goal but had to settle for a point. They did find the net once more but that was a mere consolation as our girls added two more goals through Saoirse and Joanna and another point from Elena to leave the final score 10-7 to 7-1. This was an outstanding performance by each and every one of the girls and it was a credit to them that they just got on with their own game despite some of the decisions on the night. We now eagerly await the Final against Castlemartyr, time and venue to be confirmed. Panel on the night: Laura K. Smiddy, Aoife O’Neill, Sarah Roche, Grainne Landers, Aine O’Driscoll, Chloe Walsh, Aisling Tyrell, Ava Cunningham, Elena Kelleher, Joanna Keniry, Saoirse Burns, Aimee Kearney, Chloe O’Donovan, Amy McCarthy, Emer Cowhig, Zoe Whelan, Lorna McCarthy, Therese Keniry, Abby Bulman, Sarah Smiddy, Megan O’Donovan, Rebecca Manning and Miriam Keniry.